African violet plant named Improved Iowa

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Improved Iowa characterized by its single violet-shaped, intensive blue flowers; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to heart-shaped leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous and compact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Improved Iowa.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation D 19/3 and is a product of a planned breedingprogram. The basic objective of the breeding program was to create a newAfrican violet cultivar improving certain characteristics of thecultivar Iowa, disclosed in my U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,500. The newcultivar was originated from a cross made by me in the controlledbreeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. The female, orseed parent was a cultivar designated 26 C. The male, or pollen parentwas a cultivar designated 305/61.

Improved Iowa was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment inHaffen, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leafcuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstratedthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

Improved Iowa has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in a 10 cm pot in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville,Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Improved Iowa, which in combinationdistinguish this African violet as a new and distinct cultivar.

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Single, violet-shaped intensive blue flowers.

(3) Each plant carries 6-7 and more upright flower stems, each of whichcarries 5-7 and more flowers.

(4) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(5) Vigorous and compact grower.

(6) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(7) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(8) Oval to heart-shaped, medium green leaves.

(9) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The new cultivar is most similar to, and was specifically intended toimprove upon the characteristics of, my previously patented cultivarIowa. In comparison to Iowa, the new cultivar is principallydistinguished by its larger and more intensive blue flowers, shorterpeduncles which produce a more compact growth habit, and by itsincreased resistance to mildew.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 1 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical Classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. ImprovedIowa.

Parentage:

Male parent.--305/61.

Female parent.--26 C.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately22-26 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval to heart-shaped Diameter: 60-70 mm. Texture:Velvety. Aspect: Hairy, slightly shiny. Veins: Upperside: well visible;underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny. Color (upperside):Yellow-green Group 147 A. Color (underside): Greyed-green Group 194 C.Petiole: Strong upright, purplish red, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball-shaped 7-8 mm just before opening, purple. Sepals:Five (5). Color: Brownish green. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect:Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color:Purplish green. Individual flowers: Size: 40-45 mm. Shape: Singleviolet-shaped (3 large, 2 small petals). Color (upperside): Violet-BlueGroup 89 B. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting, theblue tends to intensify. Color (underside): Violet-Blue Group 89 C to D.Borne: Each flower stem carries 5-7 and more flowers on strong, uprightpeduncle that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming acompact bouquet. Flowering habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish greenwith purple on edge, 4-5 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7 A.Styles: 7 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Improved Iowa is a very attractive, vigorous andcompact grower with medium green, oval to heart-shaped leaves. A tightbouquet of flowers free standing above the leaves develops afterapproximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 6-7 and more strong flower stemscarries 5-7 and more single violet-shaped, intensive blue flowerscontrasting nicely with the bright yellow anthers. Occasionally, 1-2additional small petals may develop. The flowers are long-lasting andnon-dropping.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named ImprovedIowa, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized byits single violet-shaped, intensive blue flowers; strong, upright flowerstems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquetabove the leaves; medium green, oval to heart-shaped leaves; profuseflowering, vigorous and compact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeksafter potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.